Rammed earth partitions and an natural color scheme assist this South African household lodge designed by structure follow Studio Asaï to mix into its pure environment.
Tembo Tembo sits near the Sabie River on the western fringe of Kruger Nationwide Park – a sprawling recreation reserve that is dwelling to a wide selection of wildlife, together with what’s often called the “large 5”: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo.
This setting was a big level of inspiration for Paris-based Studio Asaï, which determined to assemble the house from rammed earth, emulating the materiality of towering termite nests that may be seen throughout the reserve.
“Extra domestically, [rammed earth] is barely used for singular partitions in the home, considered an ornamental object,” defined the studio. “For Tembo Tembo, we determined to make use of it as the primary materials for your complete home.”
To make sure the steadiness of the house, Studio Asaï labored alongside native architect Nicholas Plewman to develop a structural skeleton that would help the roof and partitions.
Regionally sourced rammed earth was then utilized to the construction, combined with a sealant to make the fabric much less porous and crumbly.
The home was additionally constructed atop an 80-centimetre-high concrete platform to maintain away lizards and different critters whereas minimising flooding from the heavy downpours that often happen within the area from September onwards.
The property’s flat metal roof is supposed to present the house a decrease, extra discrete profile.
Inhabitants entry the house by way of a moody entryway lined with darkish wooden panels. A papery, three-tier pendant gentle hangs from the centre of the area straight above a white marble desk.
The house’s rammed earth partitions had been left uncovered within the adjoining dwelling space, which is anchored by a modular inexperienced couch that nods to the foliage of the South African bush.
To the aspect of this area is a recent kitchen full with darkish wooden cabinetry and a blocky breakfast island crafted from black Zimbabwean granite.
Within the nook of the room is a travertine marble eating desk surrounded by chairs with woven seats. That is positioned straight subsequent to an expansive glazed panel that, when slid again, lets inhabitants step onto a shaded terrace.
Creamy plaster partitions seem within the dwelling’s library, complementing the country beige cloth that was set into the room’s coffered ceiling.
Studio Asaï revived the “bush” inexperienced of the couch however this time within the type of a shiny work desk.
Designed to really feel akin to a “fashionable safari camp”, the principal bed room options a big mattress that may be enclosed with gauzy curtains on all sides.
There is a cosier really feel within the visitor bed room the place Studio Asaï has as soon as once more left the rammed earth partitions naked and put in a black steel fire to be used within the cooler months.
There’s additionally a hanging lavatory that is nearly fully lined in a flecked Namibian stone.
Tembo Tembo has made the shortlist of the house inside class at this yr’s Dezeen Awards.
It would compete towards different initiatives similar to Prior Barraclough’s Union Avenue Home, which is fully lined in Australian hardwood, and Keiji Ashizawa Design’s Hiroo Residence, which is decked out in muted tones to amplify the area’s sense of sunshine.
The images is by Adrien Dirand.
Challenge credit:
Inside design and structure: Studio Asaï
Structure: Nick Plewman Architects
Panorama design: Inexperienced Inc
